Requesting medical records

[IAmMyKidzMom]

This is not necessarily a medical billing or collection question, but it was the only forum that was appropriate.

 

When requesting medical bills, do you have to go in person and actually sign a release form or can you send a letter that you sign requesting them to mail or fax you the medical records.

 

There's just one Dr's visit that I really want to request from about a month ago, but don't want to draw attention to that one visit. So, should I go ahead and request them all (which is probably a total of less than 10 visits over a 5 year period of time), or should I just request the ones for this year (which would only include that 1 visit that I want)?

 

Thanks!

[Pavlov]

Don't know for sure, but I wil bet either Why Chat or Cotterpin can add a lot of important information about this subject....

[cotterpin]

You have the right to request your medical records at any time, the provider does, however, have the right to charge you a copying fee. Best to do so in writing.

 

Simply request your complete medical record inclusive of all labs, xrays, notes, billing records

[genseeker]

Whenever I requested records for myself of my kids, I wrote out my request, stating I wanted copies of everythign in my record, and then signed it and had it notarized. I had a dr refuse to send records once after I mailed a letter and they said it was because they couldn't be sure I was the one really requesting the records. SO I sent it again but notarized and told them that the notary was verifying it was really me who requested the records. The records were promptly sent to me and since I now send requests notarized, no other provider has ever refused.

 

If you only really need 1 date of service, then I would just go ahead and ask for the year but if you don't have many records, it may be worthwhile to get all of them. Might surprise you what you can find.

Edited December 30, 2005 by brokeinVA

[IAmMyKidzMom]

Thanks for your replies.

 

So, should I go ahead and request that they mail them to me or is them faxing them to me ok?

[cotterpin]

You should request they mail them, JMHO

[IAmMyKidzMom]

Well, I had requested medical records for DH. I was expecting them to give me a hard time or something and/or at least request a payment for postage, copying fees, etc., but today in the mail I received his medical records. They do have included a sticky note that states "No billing available". They have got to have billing available since they are billing insurance. What is my next step here on this?

[cotterpin]

Your billing records are part of your complete medical record.

 

 

Depending on how badly you need the information:

 

A phone call to them asking where the billing records are

 

or

 

a 2nd letter quoting HIPAA statutes concerning your right to your med recs